Mario Macilau specialises in long-term projects that link to multiple sub-genres; identity, political issues, environmental conditions, and engagement with socially isolated groups. Macilau is committed to initiating positive change across different cultures, locations, and perspectives. Taking portraiture as a point of departure, intimacy becomes the key to unlocking broader perspectives or narratives. The way Macilau shoots is crucial for rich compositions (black and white, with muted tones and textures), and he uses depth of field and natural light – sometimes resulting in dark black or underexposed background – to achieve a nuanced and poetic atmosphere in his images. Major exhibitions include: Faith Rituals and the Sea, Guns and Rain, Johannesburg (2019); The Pavilion of the Holy Sea at the 56th Venice Biennale (2015) and Making Africa: A Continent of Contemporary Design, Vitra Design Museum, Guggenheim Bilbao and other museums (2015 onwards).